Automatic ice tray



Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE AU'roMATro ICE TRAY Clifford R. Carney, Detroit, Mich. Application June 17, 1940, serial No. 340,906

(ci, ca -108.5)

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in ice grid and tray structures,

relating particularly to such structures havingl a` removable grid disposed in the tray, said grid being provided with movable members actuated by a lever system carried by the grid.

. Heretofore considerable difliculty has been experienced in effecting the release of the iceblock partitioning mechanism or grid from the tray or pan and also in eecting the removal of the individual ice blocks or cubes from the grid and tray.

It is a principal object of the present invention to overcome `these difliculties and to provide a durable, conveniently operable ice tray and grid structure effective for easily and promptly releasing ice blocks from the grid and tray and for releasing the grid from the tray.

A more specic object of the invention is to provide'a grid structure having substantially upright but angularly inclined transverse members mounted on substantially upright but angularly inclined longitudinal members and to provide for a novel compound movement of both types of members for freeing the frozen ice blocks or cubes from the grid or tray. Broadly speaking, this novel ice freeing movement consists in first laterally spreading apart the longitudinal members, and thereafter moving them lengthwise of Y the tray relative to each other for swinging the transverse members in a generally vertical plane. Another specific object of the invention is to provide novel mechanical actuating means for accomplishing the 4aforementioned compound ice removing movement of the grid members, and to attain such movement through a lever sysmeans is also provided in the present invention for separately moving each transverse member relative tothe longitudinal members. This may be done by fulcruming an extraneous member on' It is another object of the present invention to4 provide improved means for easily removing the grid from the tray since the grid is notl only freed from the tray by movement of the aforesaid operating handle and lever system, but said handle provides a convenient handg'rip for lifting the grid from the tray and for returning it to the Vtray after theremoval of the ice blocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide means, preferably carried by the operating lever or handle, for maintaining the longitudinal grid members in a predetermined relatively unspread condition during the filling of the pan with Water and the freezing of the ice blocks or cubes.

. It is still another object of the invention to provide a grid structure which, after effecting removal of the ice blocks, is actuated by a positive mechanically operated means for returning the grid members to the desired predetermined positions for freezing ice blocks or cubes therein, thereby eliminating dependence on gravity or the force of the water filling the tray for so potem carried by the grid. As a part of this sysl tem, a single hand operable handle is preferably provided whioh is operatively connected with the longitudinal. members by means of a sliding member adapted to coact with the longitudinal members.l Y

Another object of the invention -is to make the ice grid and tray structure of the present invention self-contained, thereby eliminating the necessity for ice removing aidsor means separate from the grid and tray such. for instance, as warming the structure or applying an extraneous lever to parts thereof. In this regard, one ice removing means of the present invention is adapted to operate all of the longitudinal and transverse grid members in a single ice removing movement or operation for freeing the grid from the tray and also freeing al1 of the ice blocks from both the tray and the grid. However.

sitioning the parts. i

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference beng had to the accompany'ing drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several Views.

Fig. 4 is a partial top plan view of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but shows the parts ofthe structure in an ice removing position.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 in the direction of the arrows.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing the reference numeral it represents an ice tray of any desired size and shape and formed of a suitable material such as aluminum. 'Ihe reference numeral il represents, in general, a grid removably disposed in the tray it. This grid, when so disposed, provides a plurality of compartments in which a liquid body is confined and frozen into cubes or into blocks oi?` any other desired shape. The grid ii comprises a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal partitions or spreader members i2 and i3, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse partitions or separator members it, id. Each transverse member it is preferably provided with a-pair of vertically disposed slots i5 which extend from a point preferably slightly above the central portion oi each transverse member to a point adjacent its lower edge, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 6.

it will be observed that the upper edges oi. each of the longitudinally extending members I2' and I3 are formed with compound slots 2d (Fig. 3). Each slot 20 is dened at its forward end by an edge portion 2i of the longitudinal members and at its intermediate part by the portion 22 of the longitudinal member. The rear part of each slot 20 is dened by a portion 23 of the longitudinal member which is odset from the portion 22 in the manner clearly indicated in Fig. 3. A plurality of notches or apertures 2t is spaced longitudinally along the lower portion of the longitudinal members i2 and i3. 4

The transverse members 63 are mounted in assembled relation with respect to the longitudinal members bythe insertion oi fiange parts 25 (Fig. l) within the apertures 2d. In this connection, it willbe noted that parts of the longitudinal members l2 and i3 pass through the vertical apertures I5 in the transverse members i3 are also substantially upright but the upper longitudinal edges are laterally inclined from the vertical toward each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Also, these longitudinal members are movable toward the vertical. Such movement of both the transverse and longitudinal members accomplishes a release of ice blocks from the grid and tray as more fully pointed out in later passages hereof.

In view of the foregoing it will be appreciated that the upper part of the transverse members if! and the portion 23 of the longitudinal members define a slot 26 (Fig. 3) within which a suitable implement or tool may be inserted, suitable clearance being provided between the members iii and the lugs 28 to permit the transverse members to move angularly towards the vertical position to release ice. This implement is adapted to force the transverse member ifi forwardly, that is, to move it into or toward a generally vertical position. This type of movement of the transverse members ifi is relative to the other parts of the tray, including the longitudinal members i2 and i3, and applies a wedging action to the ice cubes or blocks breaking their freezing contact with the grid and tray. it is, therefore,

possible to remove any number of ice cubes in multiples of three either at one time or at different times during use of the tray, since each transverse member may be separately motivated. If all lof the transverse members are successively motivated, all of the ice cubes can be removed in this manner. However, an alternative ice removing means is provided in connection with the present invention.

This alternative ice removing means is carried by the grid and includes a substantially rlat generally horizontal sliding member 2l extending lengthwise of thegrid between the longitudinal members i2 and i3. The sliding member 2l is maintained in the substantially horizontal position by fitting through suitable cutout portions or slots lila in each of the transverse members iii as clearly illustrated in Fig. l.. Also, the sliding member 2l is thus maintained by means of the extending portions or lugs 2t which rest upon the bottom wall of the slots 29. These slots 29 are punched or Vformed adjacent the compound slots 2@ of the transverse member H2, only, and extend into the slots 263 in the manner clearly shown in thedrawing. The sliding member 2 is also providedwith rounded cutout portions or recesses 3@ (Fig. 5) which are positioned to 4register with pressed-out cam-like portions 3l of the longitudinal members i2 and i3, which cam-like portions extend into the space between IH and that the upper portions of the transverse members are disposed in the slots Ztl. Moreover, the notches or apertures 2d are so located with respect to the compound slots 20 that the transverse members ld normally are inclined, that is, they are substantially upright but are disposed at an angle to the vertical. Moreover, when the transverse members are in their normal position they rest against the portion 22 defining an intermediate portion of the compound notch 20, but are movable toward a completely vertical position forwardly of the portion 22 until stopped by the lug 28 forming a part of the sliding member 21, more fully described hereinafter. It will be noted that the longitudinal members i2 and the longitudinal separator members. When the gridandtray structure is in its normal or non- .ice removing position the cam-like portions 3i unspread condition, that is, the cross piece rigidly holds the longitudinal members in their most inclined position when the handle 32 is`-in its lowered or non-ice removing position, see Fig. 1.

The operation of the present ice removing means'is as follows: The handle 32 is raised in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 thereby moving the sliding member 21 forwardly in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5. This movement of the sliding-member 21 forces the longitudinal members I2 and I3 to spread apart in a lateral direction since the cutout portions 30 no longer are in alignment with the cam-like members 3l. In fact, the recess defining parts of the sliding member 21 first slide over the cam portions 3| and thereafter the widest parts of the sliding member 21 contact said cam members to spread the longitudinal members I2 and I3 and to move them toward a vertical position. The position of the longitudinal members before actuation of the lever 32 and sliding of the member 21 is shown in Fig. 2, while their position after such actuation and sliding is shown in Fig. 6, This spreading movement of the longitudinal members continues until the lugs 28 contact the tudinal members. said movable member and said longitudinal members being provided with normally interfltting projecting and recessed portions, and a lever carried by said longitudinal members and'operably associated with said movable member for moving it relative to said longitudinal members to misalign said projecting and recessed portions for moving said longitudinal members laterally to release ice from the grid and tray structure.

2. A structure asset forth in claim 1 in which said lever is provided with a clamping fixture for holding said longitudinal members in a relatively rigid immovable condition when said lever is in its non-ice removing position. Y

3. An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a removable grid in said tray abutments in the longitudinal member I2 formed by the shoulders defining the ends of the slot 29, see Eig, 5. Continued movement of the handle 32 and member 21 then moves the longitudinal member I2 further forwardly than the longitudinal member I3, since the lugs 28 are positioned on one side only of the member 21 and the slots 29 are formed inthe longitudinal member I2 only. This forward movement of the member I2 relative to the member I3 causes a swinging of the transverse members I4 in a generally vertical plane as clearly shown in Fig. -5.

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that a compound movement is given the longitudinal and transverse members, which movement is initiated by the handle 32. As the first Vstep in this compound movement the longitudinal members are spread apart and are moved from an inclined toward a vertical position., Thereafter they are moved lengthwise relative" t`o each other to swing the transverse members.` As a result ofvthis compound movement of the *grid members. the freezing bond between th'ice cubes and the grid, as well as the freezing/'bond between the grid and the tray, is effectively broken,

` and the cubes are freed from the grid and tray structure. -Also, the grid is lfreed from the tray and may be easily removedA therefrom. Furthermore, the various parts of the present grid and tray structure may be easily returned to the positions occupied during the freezing of the ice by placing the handle in the position shown in Fig. 1 in which the longitudinal membersgIZ and I3 are again aligned and the camAV 3| of the longitudinal separator membeisV againvl fit within the cutout portions or regesses 30 of the longitudinally movable bar 21. y

In View of the foregoing it will be understood,l that the present grid and tray structure provides a conveniently operable structure which is very effective for removing ice blocks or cubes.

Moreover, alternative methods are provided for so removing the cubes. and the ice removing means may readily be returned to the inoperative position after removal of the ice blocks. In addition, no warming of the structure or other separate ice removing aid is necessary.

I claim:

l. An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a grid in said tray comprising `a pair of generally vertically disposed longitudinal members and a pluralityf'of generally vertically disposed transverse members mounted thereon, a movable member carried by said grid for lengthwisemovement relative to saidlongibetween said longitudinal members and carried by said grid members for lengthwise movementrelative to said longitudinal members, said longitudinal members having cam portions normally fitting within recesses provided said sliding member, said recesses being dimensionedv to receive said cam portions, and a lever pivoted to said longitudinal members and operably associated with said sliding member for moving said member over said cam surfaces thereby spreading the top edges of said longitudinal members.

4. An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a grid removably disposed in said tray and comprising a pair of laterally spaced inclined longitudinally extending separator members having cam portions .directed towards the space between said longitudinal members and a plurality of longitudinally spaced inclined transversely extending separator members -mounted thereon. a generally horizontally disposed longitudinally movable member carried by said transverse members, said horizontally disposedA member 4having recesses into which said cam portions normally fit, and a lever pivoted to ber for sliding said horizontally disposed member relative to said longitudinal members thereby camming apart their lateral edge portion and moving said longitudinal members from an inclined position toward a vertical position.

5. An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a grid removably disposed in said tray and comprising a pair of substantially upright laterally spaced longitudinally extending separator members movable' lengthwise in the tray and also laterally with respect to each other. a plurality of movable substantially upright transverse members mounted on said longitudinal members, a sliding member disposed between said longitudinal members and carried by s aid grid members for longitudinal movement relative to said longitudinal members, said sliding member and saidmlorrgitudinal members being provided. with normally interfltting projecting and recessdportibns and a lever carried by, said longitudinal* members and operably associated With'said sliding member for moving the sliding member relative to the longitudinal members to misalign said projecting and recessed portions to move said, longitudinal members away from each other laterally and also for moving one of said,

longitudinal members lengthwise ofthe tray with respect to the other longitudinal member and to move said transverse members about a generally vertically disposed axis, said movements of the grid members effecting a breaking of the frozen contact of the ice blocks to the grid and tray and a breaking of the frozen contact between the grid and tray.

6. An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a grid removably disposed in said tray comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal separator members each having rounded cam portions directed towards the space between them, said members being movable with respect to each other lengthwise and laterally of the tray, a plurality of movable substantially upright transverse members mounted on said longitudinal separator member, a sliding horizontal member disposed between said longitudinal members and carried by said grid members for longitudinal movement relative to said longitudinal members, said sliding horizontal member having rounded recesses into which said cam portionsoi the longitudinal members normally iit and being provided with means for moving one of said 1ongitudinal members lengthwise with respect to the other one, and a lever pivoted to said longitudinal members and extending through an aperture in said horizontal member for sliding said horizontal member relative to said longitudinal members thereby successively forcing over said cam portions the recess deiining portions of said horizontal member as well as its lateral edge portions for laterally spreading said longitudinal members and thereafter for moving one longitudinal member with respect to the other to cause pivotal movement of said transverse members from an inclined to a generally vertical plane.

7. An ice tray'and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a grid removably disposed in said tray comprising a pair of substantially upright laterally spaced longitudinal members, one of said members being movable with respect to the other lengthwise in the tray and a plurality of normally inclined transverse members mounted on said longitudinal members, said transverse members being movable from said inclined position towards the vertical position, a sliding member interposed between said longitudinal members and carried by said grid members for longitudinal movement relative to said longitudinal members, a lever pivoted to said longitudinal members for moving said sliding member so that parts thereof are brought into moving contact with one of said longitudinal members to move it lengthwise in the tray with respect to the other longitudinal member to move said transverse members from said inclined position towards the vertical position.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the means for moving one of the longitudinal members lengthwise with respect to the other comprises a laterally extending lug provided on the sliding horizontal member, and a slot in one of the longitudinal members in which said lug moves for contacting the shoulder which deiines the end of said slot.

9. An ice tray grid comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal members having inwardly directed cam portions, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse members, said grid members being mounted with respect to each other so that said longitudinal members are inclined toward each other and are movable toward a substantially vertical position, a horizontal aser/iso ment with respect thereto and having recesses into which said cam portions iit when said longitudinal members are in their inclined positions, a manually operable lever pivoted to said longitudinal members and extending through an aperture in said horizontal member for moving the recess deflning portions of said horizontal member over said cam portions to move said longitudinal members toward a completely vertical position thereby to break the freezing contact of ice blocks in the grid.

10. A structure as set forth in claim 9 in which the manually operable lever is provided with a fixed clamping member for engaging and holding said longitudinal members in their inclined positions when the lever is in its folded position.

11. An ice tray grid comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal members having cam portions extending into the space between them and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse members, said grid members being mounted with respect to each other so that said longitudinal and transverse members are inclined somewhat ufrom a vertical plane, said longitudinal members being movable toward a substantially vertical position and one of said members being movable longitudinally with respect to the other, a horizontal member carried by said grid members between said longitudinal members for lengthwise movement relative thereto, said hori-y zontal member having recesses into which sain cam portions iit when said longitudinal members are in their inclined positions and being provided with extending portions movingly contacting one of said longitudinal members to move the latter lengthwise with respect to the other longitudinal member, a hand operable lever pivoted to said longitudinal members and extending through an aperture in said horizontal member for moving the recess defining portions of said horizontal member over said cam portions to move said lonmember carried by said grid members between gitudinal members toward a substantially vertical position and also to move said horizontal member for moving one of said longitudinal members lengthwise with respect to the other one thereby moving said transverse members from positions in inclined planes to positions in substantially vertical planes.

12. An ice tray grid comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal members having cam portions extending into the space between them and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse members, said grid members being mounted -With respect to each other so that said longitudinal and transverse members are inclined somewhat from thev vertical, said longitudinal members being movable toward a completely vertical position and one of said members being movable lengthwise with respect to the other, a horizontal member carried by said grid members between said longitudinal members for lengthwise movement with respect thereto, said horizontal member having recesses into which said cam portions fit when said longitudinal members are in their most inclined position and having extending lugs adapted to contact abutments on one of said longitudinal members, and a manually operable lever pivoted to said longitudinal member and operably associated with said horizontal member for moving the recess defining portions of said horizontal member over said cam portions to move said longitudinal members toward a completely vertical position and thereafter to move said extending lugs into contact with said abutments on one of said longitudinal ,members for moving the latter lengthwise relative to the other longitudinal member. thereby swinging said transverse members in a generally vertical plane.

. 13. -An ice tray and grid structure which comprises an ice tray, a grid in said tray comprising a pair of substantially upright laterally spaced longitudinal members and a plurality of transverse members mounted on said longitudinal members at an angle to the vertical and being movable separately from said angular position toward the vertical to release ice, additional ice removing means comprising a sliding member carried by said grid and mounted for lengthwise movement relative to said longitudinal erallyspaced longitudinal members having cam portions extending into the space between them and a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse members, said grid members being mounted with respect to each other so that said longitudinal members are normally inclined toward each other and are/aterally movable toward a substantially vertical position while said transverse members are normally inclined and are separately movable toward a vertical position to ,release ice, additional ice removing means comprising a horizontal member carried by said grid members in the space between said longitudinal members for lengthwise movement with respect thereto, said horizontal member having recesses intowwhich said cam portions t when said longitudinal members are in their most inclined position and having extending lugs adapted to contact abutments on one of lsaid longitudinal members, and a hand operable lever pivoted to said longitudinal members and operably associated with said horizontal member for moving the recess defining portions of said horizontal member over said cam portions to move said longitudinal members toward a completely vertical position .and thereafter to move said extending lugs into contact with said abutments on one o! said longitudinal members for moving the latter. lengthwise' relative to the other longitudinal member and thereby moving said transverse members towards a substantially vertical position.

15. In an ice. tray, a pan, a grid member adapted to iit within the pan to divide the space therein into a plurality of4 ice blockcompartments of convenient size for domestic use, said grid comprising a plurality of generally longitudinally extending separator members and a plurality of generally transversely 'extending separator members, said separator members being interlocked with each other in such a manner that each longitudinal and transverse member may occupy a normal angularly inclined position and may move from said angular position towards the vertical position to release ice, and means including a longitudinally extending sliding member having laterally extending motion transmitting means engaging the. longitudinal and transverse separator members to move said separator members angularly and to move one of said plurality of ,generally longitudinally extending separator members longitudinally relative to another of said plurality of generally longitudinally extending separator members to rep lease ice.

16. In an ice tray, a pampa grid comprising a plurality of generally longitudinally extending separator members and a plurality of generally transversely extending separator members, said separator members being interconnected in such.y

a manner that each longitudinal and transverse member may occupy a normalangularly inclined position and may move from said. angular position towards the vertical position to release ice, means including a longitudinally extending member having laterally extending motion transmitting means engaging the longitudinally and transversely extending separator members of the grid to move one of said plurality of generally longitudinally extending separator members longitudinally relative to another of said plurality of generally longitudinally extending separator members and to actuate said longitudinal and transverse separator members from said normal angularly -inclined position towards the vertical position to release ice, and manually operable means controlling said last named member.

CLIFORD R. CARNEY. 

